Corn crop off to a good start

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois corn and soybean crops are off to a good start according to the USDA's weekly crop progress and condition report, released on Monday by the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The corn crop is fully emerged and 76 percent of the corn is rated good or excellent this week.

Ninety-four percent of the Illinois soybean crop is now in the ground, compared to 92 percent last week and ahead of the five-year average, which is 89 percent. This year's pace is also ahead of last year, when just 86 percent of the soybean crop was planted in Illinois.

Eighty-nine percent of the state's soybeans have emerged, which is also well ahead of the 75 percent five-year average. The soybean crop is healthy, with 72 percent in the good or excellent category this week.